In early October 2017, wildfires devastated communities northern California, including Napa, Lake and Sonoma counties. See the faces of those we've lost >>

In early October 2017, wildfires devastated communities northern California, including Napa, Lake and Sonoma counties. See the faces of those we've lost >>

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Victims of the October 2017 Wine Country Fires

Karen Aycock, 54

Aycock loved animals, perhaps more than people, her friends said. “Even if she knew there was a fire, she more than likely would have perished trying to rescue them,” said Chad Hinden, Aycock’s friend and former roommate. “She wouldn’t leave the house without her animals.”

Mrs. Berriz died in the arms of her husband, Armando, as they clung to each other in the swimming pool of their rented house in Santa Rosa. Mrs. Berriz had been vacationing with her family at a home on Crystal Court when they were awakened by the fire, jumping into the pool with her husband to escape the flames. Mr. Berriz survived with severe burns.Read more

Sally Eaves Lewis, 90, independent businesswoman, formidable fisher and hunter, and mother of two, spent much of her life at her home on Soda Canyon Road in Napa. On Oct. 8, however, the fires roaring across the region moved too fast. Ms. Lewis was killed, along with her caregiver, Teresa Santos, 50.

Mr. Grant died with his wife, Suiko, early Monday when the Tubbs Fire tore through northern Santa Rosa. Daughter Trina Grant said her father had served as a lieutenant in the Navy and trained as a fighter pilot in World War II. After the war, he flew for Pan Am as a commercial pilot and retired after 25 years of service.

Mrs. Grant died with her husband, Arthur, when they were unable to escape their home in the Mark West Springs Road area of Santa Rosa. The couple had met in Honolulu when Mr. Grant was flying as a commercial pilot for Pan Am. “It was a true love-at-first-sight story,” said their daughter Trina Grant.

Mrs. Halbur was found with her husband, LeRoy, in their parked car, trapped in the garage of their charred Sonoma home. The couple had been married for 50 years, and is survived by a son, Dave, and their grandchildren.

Mr. Halbur died with his wife, Donna, as they attempted to flee their Sonoma home. A retired accountant, Mr. Halbur helped found the Catholic charitable organization St. Vincent de Paul in Sonoma County in 1968. He was a warm, compassionate man with a sense of humor.

Ms. Hanson had faced many challenges in life, including being born with a spinal birth defect that limited her mobility and losing her mother at age 9. Despite her hardships, Ms. Hanson was “a very happy, social and positive person,” said her stepmother, Jennifer Watson.

Mr. Hoefer died after suffering an asthma attack triggered by the smoke from the Wine Country wildfires. Mr. Hoefer, she said, had tried to call his physician for help, but his doctor’s office had burned down. The nearest hospitals had been evacuated, and the roads to the other medical centers were difficult to traverse. In a last-ditch attempt, Mr. Hoefer went to a nearby pharmacy, but could not find the help he needed there either.

McCombs died in her home on Mark West Springs Road early Oct. 9, unable to escape the flames of the Tubbs Fire, despite repeated efforts by family to come and retrieve her. “She devoted her life to the love and care of our family and her community,” son Branden McCombs said.

McReynolds was an intellectual whose pursuits reached far beyond her medical textbooks and into the expanses of the American West, where she grew up. “She was a great sister,” Janelle McKinley, 78, of Nevada City (Nevada County). “She was like a third parent and a best friend."

Paiz died when the private firefighting water truck he was driving careened off the steep Oakville Grade road in Napa County near Highway 29 around 7 a.m. on Monday October 16, 2017. Officials said it wasn’t clear what caused the accident, but fatigue from long hours of working the fire may have been a factor.

Mrs. Powell was a musician and dog lover who had recently survived a grueling battle with mouth cancer. “She always had my back,” said her husband, George. “She tried to make life OK for me, regardless of what she was going through.”

Mr. Rippey was found with his wife, Sara, in the charred ruins of their Westgate Drive home in Napa. Mr. Rippey was a World War II veteran, later working for the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company and Norris Industries in Brea (Orange County). He and his wife had grown up together in Wisconsin, and had lived in Napa for 35 years.

Mrs. Rippey was found with her husband, Charles, in what was left of their Napa home. The couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in March, and over the years was often spotted at the Napa Valley Country Club playing tennis and golf. Sara and her husband are survived by five children, 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Kai Logan Shepherd was an energetic and athletic 14-year-old who’d befriend anyone. But Kai was unable to escape the flames of the Redwood Valley fire as it ripped through his neighborhood. His sister, Kressa, who was badly burned, died three weeks after the wildfires according to a family member.

Dornbach loved the rugged, rolling hills of northern Napa County — the quiet, the isolation, and the way the stars shone bright at night, piercing the sky between the dark cover of oak and laurel trees.

Mrs. Evans was known for her fierce love of animals. She kept horses, goats, dogs, a mule and a steer at her house on Coffey Lane in Santa Rosa. “We knew her as the horse lady,” said Tracy Long, who was Mrs. Evans’ neighbor for 25 years.

This undated photo provided by Irma Muniz shows the Shepherd family, Jon and Sara Shepherd and their children, Kressa and Kai.

This undated photo provided by Irma Muniz shows the Shepherd family, Jon and Sara Shepherd and their children, Kressa and Kai.

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Jeanette Scroggins pauses while searching for signs of her aunt, Karen Aycock, who has been missing since the Tubbs fire roared through her Coffey Park neighborhood in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. less

Jeanette Scroggins pauses while searching for signs of her aunt, Karen Aycock, who has been missing since the Tubbs fire roared through her Coffey Park neighborhood in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 10, ... more

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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Flames roar through a historic building at the Stags Leap Winery during a fast moving wind whipped wild fire raged though the Napa/Sonoma wine region in NAPA, CALIFORNIA, USA 9 Oct 2017. Multiple fire that erupted in Napa, Sonoma, Calistoga and the Santa Rosa area have burned homes and wineries. Mandatory evacuations have be displaced hundreds of residents through out the area. less

Flames roar through a historic building at the Stags Leap Winery during a fast moving wind whipped wild fire raged though the Napa/Sonoma wine region in NAPA, CALIFORNIA, USA 9 Oct 2017. Multiple fire that ... more

Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle

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Steph Gediman, (left) comforts Brandi Burns in front of Burns' destroyed at the scene of the Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa, Ca., on Monday October 9, 2017. Massive wildfires ripped through Napa and Sonoma counties early Monday, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses on Monday October 9, 2017

A ranch home along Hwy. 12 burned out of control as a fast moving wind whipped wild fire raged though the Napa/Sonoma wine region in NAPA, CALIFORNIA, USA 9 Oct. 2017. Multiple fire have erupted in Napa, Sonoma, Calistoga and the Santa Rosa area, burning homes and wineries. Mandatory evacuations have be displaced hundreds of residents through out the area. less

A ranch home along Hwy. 12 burned out of control as a fast moving wind whipped wild fire raged though the Napa/Sonoma wine region in NAPA, CALIFORNIA, USA 9 Oct. 2017. Multiple fire have erupted in Napa, ... more

Photo: Peter DaSilva, Special To The Chronicle

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Evacuee Junior Gomez, 11, sits with his puppy Smoky, 2 months at a Red Cross shelter after evacuating his home with his parents following the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.

Evacuee Junior Gomez, 11, sits with his puppy Smoky, 2 months at a Red Cross shelter after evacuating his home with his parents following the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.

Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

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A CalFire helicopter flies by the setting sun after picking up more water to drop on a smoldering area as the Partrick Fire continue to burn slowly east of Sonoma, Calif., on Thursday, October 12, 2017. The Napa and Sonoma valleys continue to be under threat from several fires not yet under control and growing fears that strong winds might worsen the situation. less

A CalFire helicopter flies by the setting sun after picking up more water to drop on a smoldering area as the Partrick Fire continue to burn slowly east of Sonoma, Calif., on Thursday, October 12, 2017. The ... more

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

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The "Love" sculpture at Paradise Ridge Winery was singed but otherwise not damaged by the Tubbs Fire, which leveled the Santa Rosa winery. Peter Byck, whose brother, Rene, runs the winery said, "The temple behind the 'Love' sculpture is the temple of remembrance, which is to remember those we've lost."

The "Love" sculpture at Paradise Ridge Winery was singed but otherwise not damaged by the Tubbs Fire, which leveled the Santa Rosa winery. Peter Byck, whose brother, Rene, runs the winery said, "The temple

A laundromat inside the Journey's End mobile home park burns during a the Tubbs fire on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.

A laundromat inside the Journey's End mobile home park burns during a the Tubbs fire on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.

Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

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Terrie Burns stands in the middle of her destroyed at the scene of the Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa, Ca., on Monday October 9, 2017. Massive wildfires ripped through Napa and Sonoma counties early Monday, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses on Monday October 9, 2017 less

Terrie Burns stands in the middle of her destroyed at the scene of the Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa, Ca., on Monday October 9, 2017. Massive wildfires ripped through Napa and Sonoma counties early Monday, ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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A couple waits in vain to be escorted to pick up possessions from their home inside an evacuation zone on October 11, 2017 in Napa, California. Escorts to were called for the rest of the day due to lack of available officers. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, more than 2,000 homes have burned and at least 21 people were killed as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread with little containment in eight Northern California counties.

A couple waits in vain to be escorted to pick up possessions from their home inside an evacuation zone on October 11, 2017 in Napa, California. Escorts to were called for the rest of the day due to lack of

Michael Hanrahan photographed the smoke over San Francisco from Hawk Hill on Oct. 9, 2017. As wildfires burn in the North Bay, smoke is pouring into the Central and South Bay Area.

Michael Hanrahan photographed the smoke over San Francisco from Hawk Hill on Oct. 9, 2017. As wildfires burn in the North Bay, smoke is pouring into the Central and South Bay Area.

Photo: Courtesy Of Michael Hanrahan

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A #SonomaProud sign in downtown Sonoma during the Tubbs Fire on Thursday, October 12, 2107

A #SonomaProud sign in downtown Sonoma during the Tubbs Fire on Thursday, October 12, 2107

Photo: Evan Sernoffsky

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A view of Journey's End mobile home after the Tubbs fire tore through the property on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.

A view of Journey's End mobile home after the Tubbs fire tore through the property on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.

Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

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The remains of the homes in the Coffey Park neighborhood are seen from the air in Santa Rosa, Calif. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.

The remains of the homes in the Coffey Park neighborhood are seen from the air in Santa Rosa, Calif. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.

Photo: Elijah Nouvelage, Special To The Chronicle

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A primary school classroom at St. Rose School is seen with damages caused by the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa, Ca. on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.

A primary school classroom at St. Rose School is seen with damages caused by the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa, Ca. on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.

Photo: Alex Washburn, The Chronicle

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Evacuee Martha Lynn rests with her dogs Broonzy (not pictured) and Golly (right) at a Red Cross shelter after evacuating her home following the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.

Evacuee Martha Lynn rests with her dogs Broonzy (not pictured) and Golly (right) at a Red Cross shelter after evacuating her home following the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017.

Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle

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Gabriel Castillo and wife Alea Kelleher embrace while sifting through the remains of their Santa Rosa, Calif., home on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. The two escaped along with their 13 month-old daughter, but lost their house as the Tubbs fire roared through the neighborhood early Monday morning. less

Gabriel Castillo and wife Alea Kelleher embrace while sifting through the remains of their Santa Rosa, Calif., home on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. The two escaped along with their 13 month-old daughter, but lost ... more

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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Phil Rush walks through the burnt remains at the site of his home destroyed by fires in Santa Rosa, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Wildfires tearing through California’s wine country continued to expand Wednesday, destroying hundreds more homes and structures and prompting new evacuation orders. less

Phil Rush walks through the burnt remains at the site of his home destroyed by fires in Santa Rosa, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Wildfires tearing through California’s wine country continued to expand ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

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Karen Balestieri and Heidi Facciano (left to right) marvel at a pond of live koi fish which survived the Tubbs fire in the neighborhood referred to by locals as 'old fountaingrove' in Santa Rosa, Ca. on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. less

Karen Balestieri and Heidi Facciano (left to right) marvel at a pond of live koi fish which survived the Tubbs fire in the neighborhood referred to by locals as 'old fountaingrove' in Santa Rosa, Ca. on ... more

Photo: Alex Washburn, The Chronicle

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Arilyn Edwards, 6, stands beside her bike in front of the rubble of her Santa Rosa home on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. The bike, which was a gift for her 6th birthday on Oct. 6, was destroyed as fire ripped through her neighborhood early Monday morning.

Arilyn Edwards, 6, stands beside her bike in front of the rubble of her Santa Rosa home on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. The bike, which was a gift for her 6th birthday on Oct. 6, was destroyed as fire ripped through

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2017, file photo,Todd Caughey hugs his daughter Ella as they visit the site of their home destroyed by fires in Kenwood, Calif. For many residents in the path of one of California's deadliest blazes, talk is of wind direction, evacuations and goodbyes. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2017, file photo,Todd Caughey hugs his daughter Ella as they visit the site of their home destroyed by fires in Kenwood, Calif. For many residents in the path of one of California's

April Lee views a burned home in Santa Rosa in California on October 10, 2017. Firefighters battled wildfires in California's wine region on Tuesday as the death toll rose to 15 and thousands were left homeless in neighborhoods reduced to ashes.

April Lee views a burned home in Santa Rosa in California on October 10, 2017. Firefighters battled wildfires in California's wine region on Tuesday as the death toll rose to 15 and thousands were left homeless

A Cal Fire firefighter works on hot spots on a hill in the Oakmont area of Santa Rosa, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. Gusting winds and dry air forecast for Thursday could drive the next wave of devastating wildfires that are already well on their way to becoming the deadliest and most destructive in California history. less

A Cal Fire firefighter works on hot spots on a hill in the Oakmont area of Santa Rosa, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. Gusting winds and dry air forecast for Thursday could drive the next wave of devastating ... more

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

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Ned and Vivien MacDonald post a sign thanking firefighters and police officers on Bennett Valley Rd. near Santa Rosa, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. The fire charred part of their 450 acres, but the couple credited firefighters with saving their home which dates back to 1900. less

Ned and Vivien MacDonald post a sign thanking firefighters and police officers on Bennett Valley Rd. near Santa Rosa, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. The fire charred part of their 450 acres, but the couple ... more

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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The body of a cow that died in the Atlas Fire is seen in Soda Canyon on October 11, 2017 near Napa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, more than 2,000 homes have burned and at least 21 people have been killed as more than 14 wildfires continue to spread with little containment in eight Northern California counties. less

The body of a cow that died in the Atlas Fire is seen in Soda Canyon on October 11, 2017 near Napa, California. In one of the worst wildfires in state history, more than 2,000 homes have burned and at least 21 ... more

Photo: David McNew

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Keith Norris shows what his car destroyed in the fire looked like before the fire, in Santa Rosa, Ca., on Monday October 9, 2017. Massive wildfires ripped through Napa and Sonoma counties early Monday, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses on Monday October 9, 2017

Keith Norris shows what his car destroyed in the fire looked like before the fire, in Santa Rosa, Ca., on Monday October 9, 2017. Massive wildfires ripped through Napa and Sonoma counties early Monday,

A woman walks past a store wearing a bandana as a mask to protect herself from the smoke Oct. 9, 2017 in Napa, Calif. A fire tore through the area on the evening of Oct. 8, destroying properties and vineyards.

A woman walks past a store wearing a bandana as a mask to protect herself from the smoke Oct. 9, 2017 in Napa, Calif. A fire tore through the area on the evening of Oct. 8, destroying properties and vineyards.

Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle

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Maria Norris and her husband Keith lost their home in the fire, in Santa Rosa, Ca., on Monday October 9, 2017. Massive wildfires ripped through Napa and Sonoma counties early Monday, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses on Monday October 9, 2017

Maria Norris and her husband Keith lost their home in the fire, in Santa Rosa, Ca., on Monday October 9, 2017. Massive wildfires ripped through Napa and Sonoma counties early Monday, destroying hundreds of

An abandoned pair of boots lay outside a destroyed home off Soda Canyon Road Oct. 9, 2017 in Napa, Calif. A fire tore through the area on the evening of Oct. 8, destroying properties and vineyards.

An abandoned pair of boots lay outside a destroyed home off Soda Canyon Road Oct. 9, 2017 in Napa, Calif. A fire tore through the area on the evening of Oct. 8, destroying properties and vineyards.

Photo: Leah Millis/The Chronicle

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A staircase stands at a home leveled by the Tubbs fire in the Fountaingrove area of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017.

A staircase stands at a home leveled by the Tubbs fire in the Fountaingrove area of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017.

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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Lori Sarver hugs neighbor Denise Zaleski while searching through the remains of her home in the Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Both lost their homes as the Tubbs fire roared though the area early Monday morning. less

Lori Sarver hugs neighbor Denise Zaleski while searching through the remains of her home in the Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Both lost their homes as the Tubbs fire ... more

Photo: Noah Berger, Special To The Chronicle

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An aerial view shows burned properties in Santa Rosa, California on October 12, 2017. Hundreds of people are still missing in massive wildfires which have swept through California killing at least 26 people and damaging thousands of homes, businesses and other buildings.

An aerial view shows burned properties in Santa Rosa, California on October 12, 2017. Hundreds of people are still missing in massive wildfires which have swept through California killing at least 26 people and

The remains of the homes in the Coffey Park neighborhood are seen from the air in Santa Rosa, Calif. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.

The remains of the homes in the Coffey Park neighborhood are seen from the air in Santa Rosa, Calif. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.

Photo: Elijah Nouvelage, Special To The Chronicle

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Theres Gilman found her mother-in-law's ruby ring while digging through the rubble of her Santa Rosa home on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017 in Santa Rosa , Calif..

Theres Gilman found her mother-in-law's ruby ring while digging through the rubble of her Santa Rosa home on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017 in Santa Rosa , Calif..

Photo: Guy Wathen, The Chronicle

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Jimmie Allen (center) stands with his children Miley Allen (left), 9 and Jaden Frank (right), 13, at their home in Coffey Park, which was burned in the Tubbs fire, on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 in Napa, Calif. less

Jimmie Allen (center) stands with his children Miley Allen (left), 9 and Jaden Frank (right), 13, at their home in Coffey Park, which was burned in the Tubbs fire, on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 in Napa, ... more

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

California wildfires: Lynne Powell, retired symphony flutist, killed

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Lynne Anderson Powell died while fleeing the Tubbs Fire that tore through her Santa Rosa neighborhood early last Monday. She was 72. She is survived by her husband, George. Ms. Powell had been the principal flutist for the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra for 17 years.

Structures burning on Patrick Rd.Noah Berger, Special to the Chronicle

Wine Country Fires

Media: San Francisco Chronicle

“She always had my back,” George Powell said. “She tried to make life OK for me, regardless of what she was going through.”

Before he went to bed on Sunday, Powell thought he smelled fire and saw ash in the air.

“There seems to be something going on,” he told his wife of 33 years. “We need to be ready to go.”

“We’ve smelled this before,” she said. Then she rolled over and went to sleep.

A neighbor’s car horn roused George Powell from sleep at around 1 a.m., he said. When he looked at the window, all he could see was a red glow. There was a wall of fire rolling toward their house.

“I said, ‘Lynne, get out,’” George Powell recalled.

She jumped up and grabbed her dog, who always slept next to her, and scooped up a laptop on the way to her car. She was supposed to turn right on Mark West Springs Road, because that was the escape route they had made.

She left about 10 minutes before he did, because George Powell wasn’t going to leave without his three dogs.

“I didn’t care if I died with them,” he said. “It was OK, because I thought my wife was out. I thought she was going to be safe.”

Lynne Powell never made it to Mark West Springs Road. Apparently blinded by smoke and flames, she drove off the side of the road.

“What I didn’t know is I had passed her,” said George Powell, 74. “She was down in a ravine. And I had no idea she was down there. If I had known that, I would’ve gone down with her. I would’ve gone to try and find her.”

The couple, who have no children, moved to Santa Rosa from Oregon 10 years ago to be closer to Lynne’s late parents, who lived in Palo Alto. Her mother was Jean Jenkins, a well-known enamelist and goldsmith.

Ms. Powell met her husband through mutual friends in Los Angeles, where he worked as a photojournalist at El Camino Community College in Torrance.

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“The first time I saw her, I was in love,” Powell said. “We connected so quickly. We met in December, and we were married in February.”

They settled in Albuquerque. He found work at a television station. After the New Mexico Symphony folded in 2011, Lynne got a secretarial job at Sandia National Laboratories. They both retired and moved to Eugene, Ore., before settling in Santa Rosa.

Lynne Powell had been recovering from mouth cancer, her husband said. She had to feed herself on a stomach tube for eight months.